A BRAZEN teenage yob who was ordered to write a letter of apology to his victims used the opportunity to tell them “I’m not bothered or sorry that I burgled your house”.

Writing letters to victims is part of the programme aimed at ­taming young criminals []

Instead of expressing remorse for stealing valuables, the 16-year-old arrogantly blamed the family because they hadn’t drawn their curtains and left a kitchen ­window open. He even told them off for their “dumb mistake”.

The habitual offender had been on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme – billed by the Ministry of Justice as the “most rigorous, non-­custodial intervention available for young offenders”.

Writing letters to victims is part of the programme aimed at ­taming young criminals through “community-based surveillance” and tackling factors that they think contribute to their crimes.

During the break-in at a family home the teenager had stolen a Playstation 3, a camera, a camcorder, two televisions and two expensive hi-fi speakers.

His letter was ready to be posted when it was spotted by a probation officer and handed to police instead.

To be honest I’m not bothered or sorry about the fact that I ­burgled your house. Basicly (sic) it was your own fault anyways (sic).

The letter

The letter – complete with spelling and grammar mistakes – reads: “Dear Victim, I don’t no (sic) why Iam writing a letter to you! I have been forced to write this letter by ISSP.

“To be honest I’m not bothered or sorry about the fact that I ­burgled your house. Basicly (sic) it was your own fault anyways (sic). I’m going to run you through the dumb mistakes you made. Firstly you didn’t draw your curtains which most people now (sic) to do before they go to sleep.

“Secondly your (sic) dumb you live in Stainburns a high risk ­burglary area and your (sic) thick enough to leave your downstairs kitchen window open. I wouldn’t do that in a million years.

“But anyways (sic) I don’t feel sorry for you and Im (sic) not going to show any sympath (sic) or remores (sic).”

Last night Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said: “This is a disgraceful letter that shows a total lack of concern for the victim.

“It goes completely against the spirit of restorative justice, which many victims find extremely ­helpful in coming to terms with what they’ve been through and which can also have a positive effect in reforming offenders.

“It’s a very good thing that the ­professionals involved intervened to stop this letter going to the victim.”

A spokesman for UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust added: “Is he so brazen he is actually warning the community that if they don’t lock up he will break in?”

Residents living in the smart Stainsburn Crescent area of Moortown, Leeds, where the yob struck were ­outraged by the teenager’s shamless attitude.

Ian Cook, 53, said: “Our house was burgled a few years ago.

“They took a lot of jewellery, but the worst thing wasn’t the cost but the sentimental value. It was my wife’s engagement ring and her mother’s engagement ring. If we received this letter from the person who robbed our house I would be fuming.”

His daughter Zoe, 19, a student, added: “For someone to break into someone’s home and then write a letter like that shows no decency.”